CANDY ON THE CAPE: Showing the love

Thursday

Feb 7, 2013 at 12:01 AMFeb 7, 2013 at 7:19 AM

I have a confession to make. I love Valentine’s Day. Not the diamond industry-inspired, spend-your-whole-paycheck-on-a-necklace day, but the sweet showing of love that is simple and sincere. In a month more associated with cold and darkness, Valentine’s Day is a little piece of bright and sparkly in an otherwise dreary patch of time.

Candace Hammond

I have a confession to make. I love Valentine’s Day. Not the diamond industry-inspired, spend-your-whole-paycheck-on-a-necklace day, but the sweet showing of love that is simple and sincere. In a month more associated with cold and darkness, Valentine’s Day is a little piece of bright and sparkly in an otherwise dreary patch of time.

Over the years I have made heart-shaped cookies, handmade cards, and homemade fortune cookies with favorite loving quotes inside. It’s not about what you spend, it’s about what you give. And lest you think it’s only a holiday for those in love, it is not. We all have people we care about – children, friends, co-workers, showing the love is not limited to romance. So if you find yourself single this year on Feb. 14, don’t lament, give something to someone else instead. It will warm your heart.

Locally, there are lots of lovely things you can do for the special people in your life. Seriously, you can find perfect gifts without even leaving Main Street in Orleans. So don’t give me any, “I didn’t have time,” excuses.

Some chocolates or other heart shaped candies from the Hot Chocolate Sparrow in Orleans is always a welcome bit of sweetness. Handmade earrings, a necklace or bracelet from Argonauta Jewelry Designs, also in Orleans, always delights me. Candles, lotions, and lots of other awesome items from Adlumia which is having a big sale, will be appreciated by both men and women. Down the street, on the way to Nauset Beach, Weekend is one of my favorite spots for lots of good gift items.

Or, you can always go old-school romance with a fireside picnic with wine and cheese, easily obtained at Main Street Wine and Gourmet, and some yummy fruit from Phoenix. See how easy it is to be a Valentine hero/heroine?

Here’s a day after Valentine’s Day fun event to go to. Feb 15, at photographer Dan Cutrona’s studio at Mashpee Commons, photography and music intersect. In a show featuring photographers, Cutrona, Rowland Scherman, James Joiner and Mark Chester is an exhibition called, “Seeing Sound: Images of Music, Photographs of Musicians Caught in the Act. The opening, from 5:30- 8 p.m., will feature music by The Flip Side, a great Cape-based blues band – whose new CD you can also buy at the event! Go and check out the photos and listen to some great music. Cutrona’s studio is at 27 Fountain St, in Mashpee Commons. For more info go to dancutrona.com or call 508-274-4605.

I love to hear about young adults who grew up here coming back to the Cape to run local businesses. One such person is Molly MacGregor who grew up in Brewster, moved back to the Cape in 2011 and bought Cape Cod Coffee Roasters in Mashpee. She is growing the business. You can buy their on-site roasted coffee at their shop in Mashpee (on route 130) or get some online at capecodroasters.com.

If you are not going to be headed to the slopes or someplace warm during the February school vacation, you should look into some the incredible offerings at the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History on Route 6A in Brewster. In a week of activities called “Animals in Action” they are offering a wonderful selection of classes for kids. They can learn about birds, turtles, sunfish and more. Classes are free with admission. For more information call the museum at 508-896-3867 or go to their website at ccmnh.org.

Here’s a tasty way to give to a good cause. On Feb 10, from 11a.m.- 10 p.m. Guapos in Orleans (located near Staples) is giving 10 percent of every sale to the Animal Rescue League of Boston’s Brewster branch. Just think, that taco you’re craving could help a kitten or a puppy, so eat up!

If you or someone you know is getting married in the near future, you might want to go to the Cape Cod Bridal Event at the New Seabury Country Club, on Feb. 10, from noon to 3 p.m. The cost is $15, and for that you get to see vendors from every area you need to plan your big day. You can go and collect information on everything from florists to DJ’s. For more info visit capeandislandweddinggroup.com.